According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5 million Americans are currently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia. It is a progressive condition for which there is no cure. The symptoms of this disease are characterized by three stages: mild, moderate and severe. Once a patient has entered the severe stage, she is in the final stage of the disease when the symptoms are the worst. Knowing what these symptoms are ahead of time may help you prepare for what the future holds.
Behavioral Symptoms
As Alzheimer's disease progresses into the later stages, your loved one's behavior will be adversely affected. Those who were once kind and gentle may become hostile and abusive. According to the Alzheimer's Association, the most common behavioral symptoms in the severe stage of this disease include restlessness and pacing, especially at night, a tendency for angry outbursts that can often result in either verbal or physical abuse toward his caregiver and being delusional (e.g., he may believe his mother just came to see him when, in fact, she passed away 20 years ago).
He may also go through moments of emotional upset which cause him to rip or shed tissues or paper. In addition, he may experience hallucinations that cause him to see or hear things that don't exist.
Cognitive Symptoms
According to Dr. Jeanne Segal, psychologist and managing editor of HelpGuide.org, as the beginning of the severe stage begins, it is common for your loved one to forget who her family members are, even spouses and children. Her ability to communicate is severely limited to approximately a half a dozen words which, when spoken, are often hard to understand. As this stage progresses, she will lose her ability to communicate completely. Her understanding of all incoming information will be lost as well.
Physical Symptoms
Along with behavioral and cognitive symptoms, your loved one will also display physical symptoms during the last stage of his battle with Alzheimer's. According to the National Institute on Aging, he will forget to swallow when eating, and eventually will need a caregiver to assist him during meal times. His body will begin to shut down, and eventually he will become too weak to stand or walk. He will need total care, every day, and will eventually lose control of his bowels and bladder. He may begin suffering from frequent infections and seizures, and you will find that he sleeps more than he is awake.
